Build a Business-Aligned IT Strategy

Success depends on IT initiatives clearly aligned to business goals.

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Contributors

Luis Ramón Ramos Espinoza, Chief Information Officer, Suramericana
Kyle Saverance, Chief Information Officer, Coker College
Scott Ross, SVP Omni-Channel Technologies, Lowe’s Companies
Max Min, Director, Waterloo City Centre
Philip D’Aurelio, Development Solutions Supervisor, City of Hamilton
Michael Dieckmann, Chief Operating Offier, Florida Virtual Campus
Joe Evers, Consulting Principal, JcEvers Consulting Corporation
Ken Piddington, Chief Information Officer, MRE Consulting
2 anonymous contributors

Two of the top three expectations for CIOs are to align to business strategy and to transform business processes.
IT does not do a good job aligning to business goals, with 47% of business leaders feeling that their goals are unsupported by IT.
Most IT departments lack the skill to develop a strategic plan for IT: a staggering 84% of IT departments surveyed claim their IT strategies are less than adequate.

Our Advice

Critical Insight

Everything IT does should support the business. A list of projects is not a strategic plan. A good strategy clearly links IT initiatives to business goals.
Business stakeholders cannot translate how IT initiatives will help achieve their objectives. IT needs to provide a concise way for stakeholders to digest how IT initiatives are supporting the organization.
A well-crafted IT strategy is critical to enhancing business stakeholder satisfaction and building relationships with business stakeholders.

Impact and Result

Derive the IT strategy based on the business context. Use Info-Tech’s implications framework to discern IT implications from the business context.
Clearly communicate to business executives how IT will support the organization’s key objectives and initiatives using the Executive Presentation Template.
Use Info-Tech’s prioritization matrix to help make project decisions in a holistic manner that allows for the selection of the most valuable initiatives to become part of the IT strategic roadmap.
Demonstrate to business executives and the IT organization how the IT strategy was created using Info-Tech’s IT Strategy Template.

Start here – read the Executive Brief

Read our concise Executive Brief to find out why you should create a visual IT strategy, review Info-Tech’s methodology, and understand the four ways we can support you in completing this project.

Build a Business-Aligned IT Strategy – Executive Brief

1. Identify the target state

Identify the IT organization's target state using the business context to ensure IT supports business needs.

2. Assess the current state

Conduct an assessment of the IT organization's current state to understand where IT currently stands.

3. Bridge the gap and create the strategy

Analyze the difference between the current state and the target state on a capability perspective, then brainstorm initiatives to bridge the gap and secure approval for the IT strategy.

Guided Implementations

This guided implementation is a six call advisory process.

Guided Implementation #1 - Identify the target state

Call #1 - Identify the business context status and IT implications.

Call #2 - Create components of the IT target state.

Guided Implementation #2 - Assess the current state

Call #1 - Assess current IT capabilities and budget.

Call #2 - Examine additional factors impacting IT and identify the current IT maturity.

Guided Implementation #3 - Bridge the gap and create the strategy

Call #1 - Assess the gaps between the current and target states.

Call #2 - Work toward IT strategy approval.

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IT Strategy

Develop a data-driven, fit-for-purpose plan with a strong link to execution.
This course makes up part of the Strategy & Governance Certificate.

Course information:

Title: IT Strategy
Number of Course Modules: 4
Estimated Time to Complete: 2-3 hours
Featured Analysts:
Andy Liu, Associate Executive Advisor
David Glazer, Practice Lead, CIO Practice
Now Playing: Academy: IT Strategy | Executive Brief

Book Your Workshop

Onsite workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost onsite delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.

Module 1: Identify IT Implications and Strategy Scope

The Purpose

Conduct analysis and facilitate discussions to uncover what business needs mean for IT and, based on the business mandate, set out the IT strategy scope.

Key Benefits Achieved

An understanding of what business needs mean for IT. Additionally, the IT strategy scope sets out the coverage of the IT strategy.

Activities

Outputs

1.1

Review the business context.

Link between business capabilities/business initiatives and business goals

1.2

Review the link between business capabilities/business initiatives and business goals.

Link between business capabilities/business initiatives and business goals

1.3

Identify IT implications from the documented business context.

Implications on IT from the business context

1.4

Group the IT implications into themes from seven perspectives.

Implications on IT from the business context

1.5

Confirm the IT strategy scope.

IT strategy scope

Module 2: Define the IT Target State

The Purpose

Define statements, principles, goals, and target-state maturity to get a sense of where IT needs to go. Clearly understand where IT needs to go by defining the target-state IT capabilities.

Key Benefits Achieved

Identifies and documents, at a high level, IT’s target state. Additionally, the list of target-state capabilities defines in more detail and clarity how the target state will look.

Activities

Outputs

2.1

Create the IT vision and mission statements and identify IT guiding principles.

IT vision statement
IT mission statement
IT guiding principles

2.2

Define IT goals.

IT goals

2.3

Determine the IT goal alignment to business goals.

2.4

Indicate the target-state IT maturity.

2.5

Identify target-state IT capabilities.

Target-state IT capabilities

2.6

Consolidate target IT capability map.

Target-state IT capabilities

Module 3: Assess the IT Current State

The Purpose

Gauge where the IT organization currently stands to get a baseline so that gaps can be identified between the current and target states.

Key Benefits Achieved

Provides an assessment of the current state in terms of capabilities, planned initiatives, factors impacting IT, budget, and current-state maturity.

Activities

Outputs

3.1

Review diagnostic results.

Documented current IT capabilities and the gap to the target state

3.2

Assess current IT capabilities.

Documented current IT capabilities and the gap to the target state

3.3

Review current IT budget.

3.4

Conduct IT SWOT analysis.

IT SWOT analysis

3.5

Identify current-state maturity.

3.6

Assess the gaps between current- and target-state capabilities.

Overall IT capabilities gap analysis

Module 4: Bridge the Gap and Create the Strategy

The Purpose

Identify the gaps between the current and target states and brainstorm initiatives to address the gaps. Set out next steps to reach IT strategy approval.

Key Benefits Achieved

Identifies the projects needed to reach the target state from the current state.
Links how the projects support IT capabilities, IT goals, and the business context.

Activities

Outputs

4.1

Map key current IT initiatives to IT and business goals.

Documented relationship between IT goals, capabilities, and initiatives.

4.2

Brainstorm initiatives to address the gaps in capabilities.

List of new initiatives to reach the target state

4.3

Create initiative profiles.

IT initiative profiles

4.4

Prioritize IT initiatives.

IT strategy prioritization matrix

4.5

Create roadmaps for key IT initiatives.

IT strategy roadmaps

4.6

Identify required IT budget.

4.7

Summarize the highlights of the IT strategy.

After each Info-Tech experience, we ask our members to quantify the real time savings, monetary impact, and project improvements our research helped them achieve. See our top member experiences for this Blueprint, and what our clients have to say.

Client

Experience

Impact

$ Saved

Days Saved

Testimonial

Prince George's Community College

Guided Implementation

10/10

$12,562

The best part was Jennifer. Excellent facilitator/expert.

Penn State Health

Workshop

10/10

$900K

The amount of time is the best and worst part of the experience. The activities require a significant amount of time, but it is essential for the success of the project.

IT Assist

Guided Implementation

9/10

$3,000

Working with the team was very helpful. I am glad to meet them and have their impact. It was valuable. The worst part is the lack of Spanish material, since my market is basically Spanish-speaking.

College of DuPage

Workshop

9/10

$50,248

The CIO Business Vision survey was a great tool and is something I'd like to repeat. The way it is presented is very professional looking. The slicing, ratings, and rankings are very well done. The MGD results were perhaps a bit mixed due to our sta...

District Of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board,The

Guided Implementation

9/10

$6,000

Lane Transit District

Workshop

8/10

$5,024

Sumit was a terrific facilitator with an excellent background and experience that led him to be trusted by the team. He did not waste our time at all, and kept us on track when we diverged onto tangents. He was personable and kept the experience enjoyabl...

Baylor College of Medicine

Workshop

10/10

N/A

CLO-OCOL

Workshop

8/10

$23,500

City of Kelowna

Guided Implementation

9/10

N/A

CA Dept of Parks and Recreation

Workshop

10/10

$87,934

The process came together very well. Steps built on each other naturally. Both Bill and Dave were knowledgeable and great to work with. I wish we would have been able to meet in person. Also, wish I had better participation from my Directorate.

OMV

Guided Implementation

8/10

$2,946

City of Birmingham

Guided Implementation

9/10

$1.26M

Allegheny County, PA

Guided Implementation

10/10

$62,810

best - on point, easy to understand. worst - fitting the work into my schedule.

Chief Industries, Inc.

Guided Implementation

10/10

N/A

Aerovironment, Inc.

Workshop

8/10

$12,562

Best experience - very experienced facilitator, very agile and flexible and great motivator, team building and innovative approaches to getting the team to join in. Worst part - probably was not enough time to dive in, in 4 - 5 hour sessions, but a gre...

The Ottawa Hospital

Workshop

10/10

$100K

Best: stakeholder engagement through interviews; IT management involvement and collaboration in workshop; support from the facilitator and membership advisor; Infotech's dedication to making this successful for the client's needs. Worst: did not alloca...

Milwaukee County Department of Administrative Services – Information Management Division (DAS-IMSD)

Workshop

10/10

N/A

Best: Working on a solid IT Strategy with Jean's guidance Worst: I think our team needed more coaching on developing an It Strategy.

Vancouver Police Department

Workshop

10/10

N/A

The entire team was very impressed with the technical savvy of the facilitator running a strat planning exercise virtually!

Montgomery County Board of County Commissioners

Workshop

10/10

$255K

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

Guided Implementation

9/10

$62,810

Well structured approach. Rocco was able to clarify and guide as we worked through it.

Croix-Rouge de Belgique

Guided Implementation

8/10

N/A

Yamana Gold

Workshop

10/10

$50,000

Thanks again to David for being flexible with a targeted session meeting our requirements. It met my expectations and he did a good job in keeping us on track. The negative was around the virtual nature of the session but that was unavoidable and allowed...

PharmaLex GmbH

Guided Implementation

8/10

$2,000

Best: rapid understanding of the requirements and attitude/personality of the consultant. Worst: can't think of anything.

Turners and Growers

Workshop

9/10

$35,000

We were able to get good insights into our customer's view of IT and where we had areas to improve to become a trusted partner. At times it felt a little bit slow or repetitive, but my team (most of whom had never done this before) found it very valuabl...

Fiven

Workshop

10/10

$25,000

Great insights, advises and shared information between the team and consultants. Very valuable content shared and information gathered. A lot of expectation by the IT team and the business within this IT Strategy project. Missed some $ estimation sp...

Lee County Tax Collector

Workshop

9/10

N/A

Bill was very knowledgeable and patient. He provided wonderful insight and kept us going in the right direction. There was no "worst" part of my experience as the entire experience was wonderful. However, I do wish we would have had more time to spend ...

Fusion Superplex

Guided Implementation

10/10

$100K

120

Amazing attention to detail - very thorough - my leadership team knows exactly where I am with the implementationof projects for this start-up operation!

Massey University

Workshop

9/10

$11,305

Best: the workshop: expertly facilitated by Gerald and Sharon Area for improvement: communication of agenda and workshop approach prior to the workshop

Victoria Police Department

Guided Implementation

9/10

$10,000

Having an experienced and trusted consultant advising throughout the process was invaluable.

Solar A/S

Workshop

10/10

$77,789

The process with the team to develop the strategy The virtual concept was not the best